.
machetero, trail-cutter.
madre de dios, mother of God.
maestro, master.
maldito, cursed, cursed one.
mantilla, head-scarf of lace.
mariposa, butterfly.
matador, bull-fighter who slays the bull with the sword.
medico, doctor.
mestizo, half-breed.
milagro, miracle. Also, small gold image, blessed by a priest,
and supposed to work a cure.
mora, bramble-bush.
mozo, waiter, servant, also young boy or man.
muchacho, boy.
muy bien, very well.
muy buenos dias, "good morning."

N

na, an expression of disagreement, disavowal, or demurral.
nada, nothing,
nada mas, nothing more.
nombre de dios, name of God.

O

ojala, "would to God!" "God grant!"
olla, pot, or kettle. Also, a stew of meat and vegetables.
oporto, port wine.

P

padre, father, Father, priest.
panela, the crude sugar of tropical America.
pantano, swamp.
pater-noster, the Lord's prayer.
patio, the interior court of a dwelling, yard, garden.
patron (naut.), cockswain of a boat.
peon, day-laborer.
peso, dollar.
peso oro, a dollar in gold.
peso y medio, a dollar and a half.
petate, straw mat on which the poor people sleep.
plaga, plague, pestilence.
platano, plantain tree, or its fruit.
playa, shore, beach, strand.
policia, police.
por, for, by.
por dios, by God!
por el amor del cielo, for the love of heaven!
por supuesto, of course.
posada, inn, hotel, restaurant.
pozo, well, pond, puddle.
pronto, soon, quickly.
pueblo, town, settlement, people.

Q

quebrada, creek, small stream.
que chiste, what a joke!
que importa, what does it matter?
quemador, public square where heretics were burned.
queridito-a, dear little one.
quien sabe, who knows?

R

real (reales), a silver coin, valued at 5, 10, or 12-1/2 cents.
religion de dinero, a religion of money.
ruana, a cape worn by the poor males of tropical America.
rurales, country people, peasants, farmers.

S

sacristia, sacristy.
san benito, the garb worn by condemned heretics.
santa maria, Saint Mary.
santa virgen, the sainted Virgin.
santo dios, the blessed God!
selva, forest.
seminario, seminary.
senora, Madam, Mrs., a mature woman, a married woman.
senorita, Miss, a young unmarried woman.
sepulcros, tombs, graves.
sierras, mountain chain.
siesta, the midday hour of rest, the hottest part of the day.
sobrinito, little nephew.

T

temprano, early.
terciana, intermittent fever.
tia, aunt.
tierra caliente, hot lands.
tio mio, my uncle.
tiple, a small g